It is the second large scale crackdown on the gang's activities and follows a pipe bomb attack on the home of the parents of a garda officer who works in the organised crime division.

A 30-year-old woman and men aged from their late teens to early 30s were detained in the operation on a range of charges including suspicion of drugs offences and gun crime.

The woman was taken in for questioning under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at Crumlin Garda Station.

A 21-year-old man was held at Ballyfermot Garda under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act and three of the men, aged 30, 17 and 21, were detained under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Clondalkin Garda Station.

Two other men, aged 33 and 22, were detained at Bridewell Garda Station on foot of outstanding warrants.

The operation was carried out by officers from the National Drugs Unit supported by local drugs units, the Criminal Assets Bureau and other Garda units. It is at least the second time the criminal associates have been targeted by the drugs squad in the last few months.

Sources also revealed that the raid follows a pipe bomb attack last November on a house in Dublin where the parents of a garda officer live.

The device, filled with nails, exploded at the front door of the Dublin home while the man's mother and father were inside. No-one was injured but the PVC door was damaged.